CD Release Concert Details
If you’re expecting the typical CD release concert, you won’t find it at Barbara Faith Jordan’s upcoming record debut. The singer-songwriter will be celebrating the release of her new CD “Passages” at the City Opera House, 106 E Front Street , Traverse City, Michigan, on Sunday, November 1, 2009 at 5:00 PM by using what she is calling a “keynote concert” format.
Barbara leans toward a narrative approach to songwriting since she believes that story-telling “has the power to touch places in people’s hearts in a way that is unique and meaningful to each person.” In her new album, she tells stories that deliver a message using a more light-hearted approach like the song “Inside Out” on middle aged love, and “I Had to Take It” about a reformed shoplifter. A more somber message is heard in songs like “See What You Made Me Do” about domestic violence and “Loose Ends” about the fear of commitment.
But if you are thinking that her story-telling style will be delivered in a more traditional folk format, think again. Jordan enjoys taking a “multi-genre” approach to her songwriting which resulted in Passages delivering an interesting and well-produced mix of jazz, country, pop, and folk styles.
To help cover these various styles at the concert, Jordan feels grateful to have enlisted top quality local musicians, Derrik Hall on keyboard, Cris Pico on percussion, Michael Racine on lead guitar, and Paul Recht on bass. Jordan will play rhythm guitar. There may also be a few “surprise” guests.
Barbara has spent most of her career offering management consulting and seminars with music as a constant sideline. This “sideline” has included playing in various cover bands for over 20 years, singing for some commercial jingles and a first CD release in 1997. She is now focusing on bringing her original music more to the forefront and using it to inspire and deliver messages that will have a positive impact on her listeners.
To help her enhance some of the messages in her music, Jordan will share some background on the various songs and may also pull in some visual media. Since this represents her “Maiden Voyage” into this type of musical format, she is excited to experiment with some new things and hopes the audience will “enjoy the journey.”
Jordan frequently receives praise for her vocal quality which has been compared to artists such as Shawn Colvin, Tori Amos and Mary Chapin-Carpenter.
Tickets are $10.00 for the show and CD party with CD’s available at a special concert discount price of $5.00 with ticket purchase. Tickets will be available at Barbara’s website www.barbarafaithjordan.com and at Zamar Guitar, Old Town Coffee and Oryana as well as at the door.
For the CD recording, Barbara enlisted the assistance of co-producer Joe Ayoub to help with song arrangements and to assemble a crew of musicians who could tackle the various musical styles she envisioned for the CD. Ayoub, a bass and guitar player who currently lives in Los Angeles and frequently tours with Enrique Iglesias (Julio’s son) , was going to be in the Grand Rapids area visiting family and told recording engineer Andy Mitchell from Audio Bay Studios in Rockford, that he was looking for an album project to produce during his stay. It was the perfect match. Joe also contributed most of the bass and guitar tracks on the album.
Joe then enlisted Jeff Moehle on percussion and Dave Proulx on keyboards; both accomplished west Michigan musicians who have shared the stage with major recording artists. She also called in few of her old band buddies, Jeff Schroeder and Mark Geovijan to help out on the album. After the first mix, Jordan decided she wanted to recruit Traverse City’s own Al Jankowski and Ron Getz to lay down some additional instrumental tracks with the help of local recording engineer Steve Quick.
As Jordan was looking for a cover shot for her CD, she found what she thought was the perfect shot off a stock photo site and purchased the photo. Shortly after that, she ran into photographer friend Michael Cole who owns Classic Gallery Studio who said he thought he could do a similar shoot using her in the photo and a local spot for the passageway concept she was looking for. With the help of Marsha Minervini, they ended up at a hallway in Stella’s restaurant at Building 50. The result? A shot that Jordan describes as “exactly what she was looking for from the minute she conceptualized the cover.”
Jordan says that “Even though the setting at the Opera House is a little more formal, I just want people to come out, celebrate with me and have a good time.”
To purchase tickets for the CD release party & concert, click here. If you would like to purchase a copy of Passages, click here.
One Response to “CD Release Concert Details”
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Barb,
Congratulations!
Won’t be able to make the concert, but can’t wait to hear the new CD.
Best of Luck!
Dennis